Ganguly to play for MCC in Dubai Twenty20

Ignored by all ten IPL franchises at the players' auction a few months ago, former India skipper Sourav Ganguly will play in next month's Emirates Airline Twenty20 tournament in Dubai.

Ganguly was included in a star-studded MCC (Marylebone Cricket Club) side that will take part in the event, starting on April 1.

"It is an honour and pleasure to represent MCC. I am absolutely delighted to have been invited to play for the club in the Emirates Airline Twenty20 competition," Ganguly was quoted as saying.

"I thoroughly enjoyed captaining the MCC side that took on the Pakistanis at Lord's last summer, and I am thrilled to get another opportunity to play for MCC.

"I am looking forward to continuing my relationship with MCC, and participating in this exciting new venture for the club," added the Bengal stalwart, who played for Kolkata Knight Riders in the first three IPL seasons but will not be in action in IPL-IV, commencing next month.

MCC will take on English county champions Nottinghamshire, Durham, Sussex and defending champions Fly Emirates XI in the T20 tournament, which will also feature current and former players like Monty Panesar, Steve Harmison, Simon Jones and Chris Read.

"It is a great honour to have Sourav Ganguly competing at the Emirates Airline Twenty20 and we are looking forward to welcoming this legend of the game to Dubai," said Tournament Director Matthew Jackson.

"The Dubai crowd are certainly in for a treat with this kind of talent on display at Sevens cricket ground. With the likes of Sourav in their line-up, the MCC side looks to be strong contenders for the title.

"They certainly won't have it all their way, however, with some top-class players and former internationals in the other teams as well," he added.